Global Mobile Industry Embraces NFC Technology - China’s 900 Million Mobile Users Create Vast Opportunities for Developers

October 31, 2011 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

CARTES in Asia 2012 to showcase NFC industry opportunities and developments

CARTES in Asia 2012

CARTES in Asia 2011

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global Near Field Communication (NFC) industry has taken off this year with Google Wallet making an impact and major handset vendors including Nokia, Samsung (Google), RIM, LG and ZTE launching large volumes of NFC devices. With over 900 million mobile users, mainland China has the biggest potential for the future of NFC deployment. Businesses wanting to reach suppliers of this technology or to research innovations in NFC should participate in CARTES in Asia exhibition and conference at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, 28 & 29 March 2012.

Many NFC technologies and applications originated in the West but according to a recent Smart Insights White Paper on NFC in China 2011, mainland China has its own powerful mobile payment solutions. China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom and China UnionPay are the key telecommunications and banking stakeholders. Each has developed several projects incorporating NFC, or NFC-like technology such as RF-SIM, SIMpass or MicroSD, in major mainland cities that enable customers to use mobile phones to pay for food and drink as well as public transport. The main suppliers of this technology include Nationz Technologies, Eastcompease, Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics, Watchdata, TCL, Datang and HTC proving that not only is mainland China using NFC but it is also developing and providing its own NFC applications.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology states that mobile payments are expected to be the driving force behind mainland China’s aim to triple its e-commerce industry by the end of the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). By the end of 2011, mainland China’s estimated current 230 million mobile payments users are expected to generate transactions of USD 1.8 billion (CNY 11.37 billion), representing a 400 percent growth from 2010, states a research report by Minsheng Securities.

Outside of China but still in Asia, KT, South Korea’s second largest mobile operator, distributed (September) NFC-enabled iPhone attachments preloaded with a MasterCard PayPass application. Users can tap to pay at PayPass terminals in Korea that are also used by full NFC phones and other contactless-mobile handsets. While in Hong Kong, Pacific Coffee has launched (October) the first card-free settlement convenience with its iPhone app linked to PayPal.

Isabelle Alfano, Director of CARTES events, Comexposium, said: “We’ve seen a boom in the NFC industry this year with more and more countries realising the benefits of employing convenient card and cash-free technology. As mainland China’s economy keeps on growing, their huge subscriber base indicates great potential for future NFC deployments - less than one third of users currently have access to mobile payment technology. Government, transport, telecoms, administrative, security and retail industries looking to find out more should head to CARTES in Asia next March in Hong Kong where they will meet hundreds of experts and developers of this ground-breaking technology.”

The 2012 exhibition and conference will be the third edition of CARTES in Asia. Major exhibitors from the smart security industry have already confirmed their participation, such as: Advanced Card Systems, Gemalto, HID global, Ingenico, Inside Secure, Oberthur Technologies, STMicroelectronics, Watchdata.

Sources: NFC Times, Pacific Coffee, Smart Insights White Paper, China Daily, Paypers

About CARTES in Asia

Date: 28-29 March 2012

Opening times: 9.30am to 5.30pm

Place: Hong Kong – AsiaWorld-Expo

Organiser: Comexposium

Website: www.cartes-asia.com

FIS Announces Third Quarter Results

November 01, 2011 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Continued Strong Growth in International Solutions

• Revenue of $1.43 billion, up 4.3%; organic growth of 4.1%
• International Solutions revenue up 49.3%; organic growth of 21.9%
• EPS of $0.62, as adjusted, up 19.2%
• Free cash flow of $193 million

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIS^™ (NYSE:FIS), the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

“We remain focused on providing solutions that enable our clients to drive growth, optimize efficiency and meet their overall business objectives.”

GAAP Results

Revenue from continuing operations increased 4.3% to $1.43 billion in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $1.37 billion in the third quarter of 2010, which included an $83.3 million termination fee related to the card processing joint venture in Brazil. GAAP net earnings from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders totaled $145.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $134.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.

Non-GAAP Results

Adjusted revenue growth was 10.8% in the third quarter of 2011, and organic revenue growth was 4.1%. EBITDA increased 2.7% to $438.0 million compared to EBITDA of $426.6 million, as adjusted, in the third quarter of 2010. EBITDA margin was 30.7% in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 33.1%, as adjusted, in the prior year quarter. EBITDA margin in the current year quarter reflects the addition of Capco, continued growth in lower margin services revenue, as well as approximately $10.1 million of integration, severance and merger and acquisition costs. EBITDA in the prior year quarter included a benefit of approximately $10.0 million for reimbursed legal fees.

Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations totaled $188.8 million compared to $176.7 million in the third quarter of 2010. Adjusted earnings per share increased 19.2% to $0.62 compared to $0.52 in the prior year quarter. Integration, severance, merger and acquisition costs reduced third quarter 2011 adjusted earnings by approximately $0.02 per share. Free cash flow was $193.4 million compared to free cash flow of $220.4 million, as adjusted, in the 2010 quarter. Definitions of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to related GAAP measures are provided in subsequent sections of the press release narrative and supplemental schedules.

“Excellent growth in International Solutions drove solid top-line performance and contributed to the strong 19.2% growth in adjusted earnings per share in the third quarter,” stated Frank Martire, president and chief executive officer, FIS. “We remain focused on providing solutions that enable our clients to drive growth, optimize efficiency and meet their overall business objectives.”

Segment Information

The following is a discussion of third quarter results by segment:

• Financial Solutions:

Third quarter 2011 Financial Solutions revenue increased 7.8% to $523.2 million compared to $485.5 million in the 2010 quarter, driven by the addition of Capco’s North American operations, growth in account processing and higher services revenue. Financial Solutions revenue increased 0.6% on an organic basis. Financial Solutions EBITDA increased 1.9% to $224.0 million compared to $219.8 million in the third quarter of 2010. The EBITDA margin was 42.8% compared to 45.3% in the prior year quarter, reflecting the addition of Capco, lower license revenue, growth in lower margin services and approximately $1.7 million in integration and severance costs in the third quarter of 2011.

• Payment Solutions:

Third quarter 2011 Payment Solutions revenue increased 0.5% to $603.7 million compared to $600.6 million in the 2010 quarter. Payment Solutions revenue increased 2.0% excluding a $6.4 million decline in the check-related businesses. Payment Solutions EBITDA totaled $229.6 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $230.9 million in the third quarter of 2010. The decline was due primarily to $4.3 million of integration and severance costs that are included in the current year quarter. The EBITDA margin was 38.0% compared to 38.4% in the prior year quarter.

• International Solutions:

International Solutions revenue increased 49.3% to $297.7 million compared to $199.4 million in the 2010 quarter, and increased 21.9% on an organic basis. The strong performance was driven primarily by continued strong growth in Brazil card processing and Capco’s European business. International Solutions EBITDA increased 44.1% to $67.0 million compared to $46.5 million in the third quarter of 2010. Integration and severance costs of approximately $1.2 million are included in the current year quarter. The EBITDA margin was 22.5% compared to 23.3% in the prior year quarter, reflecting the addition of Capco.

• Corporate/Other:

Corporate expense totaled $82.6 million in the third quarter 2011, compared to $70.6 million in the prior year quarter. As previously disclosed, the prior year quarter included a benefit of approximately $10.0 million related to the reimbursement of legal expenses. Integration, severance and merger and acquisition costs of approximately $2.9 million are included in the current year quarter.

Net interest expense totaled $60.5 million compared to $60.9 million in the prior year quarter. The effective tax rate declined to 30.6% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 36.6% in the prior year quarter due to the implementation of state and federal tax planning strategies and a non-recurring benefit related to the Company’s international business. FIS anticipates that the full year tax rate for 2011 will be approximately 33%.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $386.8 million as of September 30, 2011. Debt outstanding totaled approximately $4.9 billion as of September 30, 2011. Capital expenditures totaled $82.1 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared to $93.1 million in capital expenditures in the prior year quarter.

Free cash flow totaled $193.4 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to adjusted free cash flow of $220.4 million in the 2010 quarter due primarily to higher interest payments in the current year.

2011 Outlook

FIS updated its outlook for full year 2011 as follows:

• Revenue growth of approximately 10% (approximately 5% organic revenue growth);
• EBITDA growth of approximately 4% to 5%;
• Adjusted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.24 to $2.30;
• Free cash flow in excess of adjusted net earnings.

Mobile payments in Eastern Europe to rise to $42.3 billion by 2015 - a 3Q 2011 forecast report

November 01, 2011 08:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of IE Market Research Corp.'s new report "3Q.2011 Eastern Europe Mobile Payment Market Forecast 2009 - 2015: Gross transaction value of mobile payments in Eastern Europe to rise to $42.3 billion in 2015" to their extensive offering of mobile telecommunications market research publications.

“3Q.2011 Eastern Europe Mobile Payment Market Forecast 2009 - 2015: Gross transaction value of mobile payments in Eastern Europe to rise to $42.3 billion in 2015”

Eastern Europe Mobile Payment Market Forecast provides a comprehensive forecast of the regional and country-specific mobile payment markets. The countries covered are Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.

IE Market Research covers annual forecasts of mobile payment users; mobile payment transactions by technology (such as NFC, SMS, WAP, USSD); and mobile payment transactions by type of purchase (such as merchandise, digital products, ticketing, mobile money transfers, bill payments, and pre-paid top-ups). The report is based on Global Consumer Telecommunications Survey, which covers 50,000 mobile users in 50 markets globally; and is the most extensive country-specific forecasts of its kind.

This report will be useful to:

• Strategists and analysts at mobile phone operators and banks/credit card companies responsible for mobile payment strategy development and business analytics.
• Developers of mobile payment systems at handset manufacturers.
• Device manufacturers in all areas of the telecommunications market that need strategy recommendations on key trends in the global mobile payment industry.
• Financial analysts and portfolio managers covering firms in the mobile payment market.
• Consultants advising their clients on mobile payment markets.
• Researchers who need to gain a better understanding of the global mobile payment market.

Key Topics Covered:

• SMS
• WAP/Web
• USSD
• NFC
• Merchandise purchases
• Digital purchases
• Ticketing
• Money transfers
• Bill payment
• Prepaid top-ups
• Average Transaction

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a2e0d6/3q_2011_eastern_eu

Russia Mobile Payment Market Forecast: Gross Transaction Value in Russia to Rise to $24.7 Billion in 2015

November 01, 2011 07:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Research and Markets: 3Q.2011 Russia Mobile Payment Market Forecast 2009 - 2015: Gross Transaction Value in Russia to Rise to $24.7 Billion in 2015

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of IE Market Research Corp.'s new report "3Q.2011 Russia Mobile Payment Market Forecast 2009 - 2015: Gross transaction value of mobile payments in Russia to rise to $24.7 billion in 2015" to their offering.

“3Q.2011 Russia Mobile Payment Market Forecast 2009 - 2015: Gross transaction value of mobile payments in Russia to rise to $24.7 billion in 2015”

Russia Mobile Payment Market Forecast provides a comprehensive forecast of Russia's mobile payment market. We cover annual forecasts of mobile payment users; mobile payment transactions by technology (such as NFC, SMS, WAP, USSD); and mobile payment transactions by type of purchase (such as merchandise, digital products, ticketing, mobile money transfers, bill payments, and pre-paid top-ups). The report is based on Global Consumer Telecommunications Survey-- which covers 50,000 mobile users in 50 markets globally and is the most extensive country-specific forecasts of its kind.

This report will be useful to:

• Strategists and analysts at mobile phone operators and banks/credit card companies responsible for mobile payment strategy development and business analytics
• Developers of mobile payment systems at handset manufacturers
• Device manufacturers in all areas of the telecommunications market that need strategy recommendations on key trends in the global mobile payment industry
• Financial analysts and portfolio managers covering firms in the mobile payment market
• Consultants advising their clients on mobile payment markets
• Researchers who need to gain a better understanding of the global mobile payment market

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/97db83/3q_2011_russia_mob

E-Debit Global Corporation Expands Its Review of the Mobile Payments Marketplace

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 31, 2011) - E-Debit Global Corporation (OTCBB:WSHE) -

In conjunction with European and South African mobile Telco software and infrastructure provider IN-CORP AG's Canadian subsidiary MapleTel.com ("MapleTel') E-Debit Global Corporation ("E-Debit") (OTCBB:WSHE) commenced today its review of the mobile payments marketplace with Capital Six Limited ("Capital Six") its joint venture with ebackup Inc. ("ebackup").

Overview

"We have expanded our review of our opportunities related to the mobile payments marketplace, particularly in the Canadian business space," E-Debit Chief Executive Doug Mac Donald said in a joint statement with ebackup Inc. President Rowland Perkins.

"We believe experience gained through the Canadian introduction and roll out of EMV (the payment and security standard for interoperation used for authenticating credit and debit card payments at chip enabled terminals developed for payment systems by Europay, MasterCard and Visa and introduced by the Interac Network) combined with MapleTel's international Telco infrastructure and software expertise holds great opportunity for virtual terminal development which allows transactions processing using any mobile phone, tablet or any type of device with an Internet connection," they added.

"I am looking forward to working with E-Debit and ebackup in bringing a mobile payments solution to the Canadian marketplace which today is virtually nonexistent due to dealing with the complex nature of EMV and PIN verification," stated John Kok, President of MapleTel.

"Combining E-Debits "processing Switch", ebackup's "Cloud" based PCI compliant data centre, technical and back up support and our Telco and software experience, the potential for success within the Canadian e-commerce business segment is very significant," Mr. Kok stated.

About E-Debit Global Corporation

E-Debit Global Corporation (WSHE) is a financial holding company in Canada at the forefront of debit, credit and online computer banking. Currently, the Company has established a strong presence in the privately owned Canadian banking sector including Automated Banking Machines (ABM), Point of Sale Machines (POS), Online Computer Banking (OCB) and E-Commerce Transaction security and payment. E-Debit maintains and services a national ABM network across Canada and is a full participating member of the Canadian INTERAC Banking System.

Xoom Expands Availability of Money Transfer Service with Retail Partnership

SAN FRANCISCO,  Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  With increased consumer demand for more convenient and fairly priced money transfer services, Xoom Corporation today announced the launch of an online international money transfer service through Walmart.com.

Customers can now send money online via Walmart.com 24/7 to 30 countries in Latin America, Asia and Europe.  Money can be picked up in cash at any of thousands of locations or deposited quickly to bank accounts.  The service is available throughWalmart.com's Online Money Center or directly at walmart.xoom.com.

"Xoom is thrilled to partner with Walmart.com to offer this secure, easy to use and affordable money transfer service," said John Kunze, Xoom's President and CEO, "Xoom is committed to providing our customers with breathtakingly fast, easy and fairly priced money transfer experiences."

About Xoom Corporation

Xoom was founded in 2001 and is now one of the biggest and most trusted online money transfer companies in the US.  Xoom offers safe and secure sending options from the convenience of your computer.  Customers can access walmart.xoom.com 24/7 and send money using their bank account, debit or credit card.  For more information, go to walmart.xoom.com.

SOURCE Xoom Corporation

Turkcell Teknoloji Receives Best Contactless Mobile Transaction (NFC) Award for Cep-T Cüzdan

ISTANBUL, November 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Turkcell (NYSE: TKC, ISE: TCELL), the leading communications and technology company's 100% subsidiary; R&D and innovation base Turkcell Teknoloji has won the SIMagine award in the Best Contactless Mobile Transaction (NFC) Awards category.

Turkcell Cep-T Cüzdan, a mobile wallet application that enables the secure installation of more than one credit card application on a single SIM card, was a world first developed by Turkcell Teknoloji.  The Cep-T Cüzdan service, which relies on NFC (Near Field Communication), eliminates the need for conventional plastic credit cards.  Instead, the NFC supported terminals in themselves become credit cards with the introduction of this application.  Through Cep-T Cüzdan, customers can load their MasterCard branded credit cards to their mobile phones and make contact-free transactions for onetime payment of up to TRY35 with no pin or signature.  Having been approved by MasterCard, Cep-T Cüzdan currently offers huge convenience toYapi Kredi and Garanti Bank users.  Further Turkish banks and other service providers are expected to become available to mobile wallet service subscribers, thereby enabling them to experience real wallet concept with the convenience of their mobile equivalent.  

Turkcell Teknoloji's General Manager, Semih Incedayi commented that, "Through our competency, which is backed by Turkcell's pioneering vision in technology and communications, Turkey is now considered one of the leading countries in this arena.  Over the past 2 years, we have accumulated solid know-how and experience in the field of contactless technologies, having now achieved another global first.  The fact that Cep-T Cüzdan won the SIMagine award in the Best Contactless Mobile Transaction (NFC) Awards category confirms the level of technical competency Turkish engineers have now reached, which is very meaningful."

About SIMagine

The SIMagine awards are organized by an association that consists of key sector representatives, known as SIM Alliance. SIM Alliance has been supporting the creation, usage and management of secure mobile services worldwide for more than ten years. The alliance conducts studies to estimate and detect security, identity and mobility related problems on the internet, where convergence is gradually gaining importance.

About Turkcell

Turkcell is the leading communications and technology company in Turkey with 34.1 million subscribers and a market share of approximately 54% as of June 30, 2011 (Source: Operator's announcements and excluding the impact of the change in prepaid churn periods in Q2 2011). Turkcell is a leading regional player, with market leadership in five of the nine countries in which it operates with its approximately 61.7 million subscribers as of June 30, 2011. The company covers approximately 85% of the Turkish population through its 3G and 99.07% through its 2G technology supported network. It has become one of the first among the global operators to have implemented HSDPA+ and achieved a 42.2 Mbps speed using the HSPA multi carrier solution. Turkcell reported a TRY2.3 billion (US$1.5 billion) net revenue with total assets of TRY15.5 billion (US$9.5 billion) as of June 30, 2011. It has been listed on the NYSE and the ISE since July 2000, and is the only NYSE-listed company in Turkey. Read more at http://www.turkcell.com.tr